Learn how to shoot for fun and profit

I’ve been reading food, design and craft blogs and sites for a long time, pretty much since the whole concept evolved. If I had to chose one single thing that will predict the popularity of a food, design or craft blog, it would be the quality of the photography.

I am not saying that design, usability and quality writing don’t count, they do, but we buy design magazines and read design blogs mostly for the eye candy.

Sometimes I am reading a well-written post by a talented blogger who has created an interesting thing and I can hear the voice in the back of my head that says “it could use a better photo”.  In the interest of shutting up that little voice, I thought of giving my fellow bloggers a few simple tips to improve their photos.

I am not going to explain what “aperture” means, or suggest to upgrade. Not right now, anyway. It will be more along the line of “step back”, or “take it outside”. A point-and-shoot, and free online software can do wonders if you use them right.

I know there are thousands of sites with excellent tutorials, I am glad they exist, I’ve learned a trick or fifty from some of them. In fact, I am going to suggest other sites where you can learn more, should you wish, but you are reading my blog now, so I am just hoping to wake up your interest.

Another important thing is to clarify my credentials, or lack thereof: I am not a photographer. I don’t even play one on TV.

I studied Industrial Design, and yet I would not even dare calling myself one. I hung my T-ruler back when… well, when people still used T-rulers. I have only taken a few real photography lessons in my whole life, but my main source of knowledge have been my camera manuals, reading till my eyes bleed, and lots and lots of shots. The pros have a term for people like me: “shutter monkey”.

Pass the banana.

With that out of the way, I’ve made a lot of photography for ad campaigns, I have been paid for photos for books and publications with subjects ranging from “plastic surgery and feminism” to latino food for a Russian publication, and work with 3 of the biggest, most prestigious photo agencies. In my professional life I mostly stick to a very small niche: food photography.

I’ve received a few questions from commenters, and readers who have emailed me, asking what equipment I use. I think what they really mean is to ask how I got a photo that looks like that. Sure, most of my own photos can use improvement, a lot in fact, and should I get paid to do it I probably put some more work into them; but I am not, so I won’t. Quick and easy is how I usually do it, this blog is just something I am doing for fun.

So, what do you think, would you be interested in the occasional post about photography? Say the word and  I’ll start shooting.

Aunt Clara